The Somerset reporter., 1887-12-21

other period and the marvellous inyen-
tions Of the present time rcsultingin great
in civilization render this al
most the golden age of the world.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
The Importance and u-efulness of the
Department Of the Commissioner of Ag-
riculturc at Washington cannot be over
estimated The vast and increasing re-
sources of this country demand an intel
ligent aud watchful pubic care of its az
ricutural interests. The Patrons of the
Inited States demand such a liberal APP
preparation of the public funds and pro-
lection as will best advance the interests |
of agriculture, which feeds and clothes |
the nation, and is the handspring which |
sets in motion and sustains all other In
dnstrial and commercial pursuits. We
demand that our vast herds of cattle
shall be protected from the ravages of
contagious diseases, by prompt agencies,
and the enforcement of wise and suitable
laws at public expense. We demand that
our National and State Agricultural and
Experimental Stations, when supported
by the Government, shall be as far as
practicable under the exclusive control of
the Commissioner of agriculture, and
that the agricultural seeds sc. which are
distributed among the States, shall be
tested, and only distributed when found
pure and healthy; and that such seeds
shall be distributed as are particularly
adapted to the soil and latitude where
u ey are to be used. We demand that all
information and knowledge affecting ag-
riculture which is eliminated and made
positive at public expense, shall be so far
| considered the property of the farmer as
to be judiciously and generally circu-
! lated and made available through the
! printed page at the expense of the Gov
ernment. We demand, as far as possible
in our varied agricultural productions
that care shall be exercised and informa-
ton given, so that each section may
know for what kind of crops the soil,
latitude and other conditions different
sections are best adapted; therefore, let
the National Department of Agriculture
impart such information and directions
as will develop. increase the amount,
| and enhance the profits of crops every
where, and not lose sight of the best az
ricultural claim and merit to special pro.
auctions of widely separated sections OF
our country.
In view of the fact that our country
represents every variety of soil, aud all
the pecularties of different ATTITUDES I'M
der the sun, we demand, that such lnveS-
tigation and experiments shall be made
and protection given as will extend oul
agricultural resources so as to give to the
American farmer practically the ability &c
raise and sell mt profit every article OF
food consumption which is now partially
or wholly raised in foreign lands. II
other words, may we not practically pro
duce for our own consumption by proper
information and protection, not only al
fau of a
own sugar, fruits, tropical productions
etc. which now come SO largely iron
, other countries, and for which our PEG
pie pay vast sums of money without q
, corresponding equivalent.
We demand, that the "llatch Bill in ia
vor of Agricultural experimental station
IN each State, already a law, shall be per
fected by Congress; that eur State ma
receive at least $1,000 each year iron
the National Government. This actio
of Congress is largely due to Grange eff
fort, and is grand measure.
The Agricultural Bureau at Washing
ton should be made the great center t
which the results of agricultural eXper
mentS or experience shall be gathered
+, and when there, should be duly tabulatct
and what is important to know should
freely and generously distributed to all {
gent and profitable agriculture.
desire to call your attention to the az
=, ton of the National Grange on sever
important measures, although not concll
i. sivelv binding upon individual member
still this record becomes part OF the q
tive policy of the Grange. | desire TIL
you give these matters your careful Co
sideration, and as far as practicable, Il
US send forth no uncertain sound, b
Z add our influence to what appears to
the popular and unanimous voice of OF
National Brotherhood.
L. Let us act together and demal
= that there shall be ho repeal of the ole
margarine law, and no alienation mat
in its provision which shall give to Il
manufacturer and seller of counterft
butter any additional advantages over t
honest dairy productions of the farl
more than they now have either in 4
manufacture or sale.
.. We are thankful for the benefits
our Inter State Commerce law; 1t Is ol
of our triumphS, and we demand that
q shall remain as law, with such alter
u tions by Congress as shall better def
and make certain its original intentions.
g. We demand that the Patent Lay
shall be revised so that there shall
less opportunity for parties already rich
compensated continuously taking il
mense additional profits from the poke
of the people, and we ask the proteetl'
of law for innocent parties who ignorar
7 ly violate some of the provisions of P
tents
4. We demand that gambling in t
productions of the farm and dealing
futures" shall be prohibited by law.
2, B. We renew our request that the Coz
missioner of Agriculture shall at once
elevated to the homo able position of
Z seat in the Cabinet of the President.
g. We demand that equal protect
g. by means of the tariff shall be given
Congress to the raw material" and the
= shall be a reasonable protection to t
other productions of the farm where t
prices are affected by foreign competitio
at least, as long as the existing tariff pr
tects manufactured goods.
T. We favor the election of Unit
- States senators by the direct vote of t
people.
s. We demand that the postage
seeds, plants, buds and scionS should
so reduced as to conform to the rates
other countries, which would be a redu
ton of one hundred per cent The rat
in Canada are four times less than in I'll
couutry.
8. We desire as soon as practicabl
that there shall be further reduction
the rates of postage, and that railroad
telegraph and telephone service shall be
} ter conform to the limited means of u
;. people.
10. We ask for the REISSUE of a fra
tional currency which will furnish Il
people with convenient method and sa
, way to forward to distant places SIN,
sums of negotiable money. The post
: note does not accommodate us, "a it
, ouly issued at money order Offices al
is often times difficult to obtain and
collect, and too expensive.
= IL. The Grange is an organizatiC
!, which is American in its conception, al
| thoroughly committed to the protectiC
, and perpeluity of American Institution
; and the freeholds of the country. "
therefore deplore the appearance Of M